RAIL firms from the region have agreed to sell passengers cheaper Advance tickets up to just 10 minutes before their journey.

The move to enable travellers to book the lowest fares on the day of travel was first introduced by CrossCountry in 2015. Now Grand Central, Greater Anglia, Northern, TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains East Coast, Virgin Trains West Coast and Caledonian Sleeper have also signed up to the deal.

The tickets have previously been withdrawn from sale at midnight on the day before travel. Rail delivery group managing director Jacqueline Starr said: "Not everyone can plan journeys in advance and now more people can buy cheaper tickets on the day, even on their way to the station.

"We want customers to get the best possible deal whenever they travel."

Lianna Etkind of the Campaign for Better Transport added: "We welcome this, it removes a further barrier to affordable rail travel and means people can make unplanned journeys without being unfairly penalised."